Medical suspension system with two spindles

ABSTRACT

A medical suspension system ( 10 ) includes a ceiling plate ( 30 ) configured for mounting to a support structure ( 16 ). The ceiling plate supports a device ( 12 ), such as a lighthead or video monitor, which is mounted to the ceiling plate via an articulated arm ( 50 ) and a spindle ( 40 ), which is centrally mounted to the ceiling plate. A second device ( 14 ) is mounted to the ceiling plate, not through the spindle ( 40 ), in the conventional manner, but via an adapter plate ( 62 ), which is mounted directly to the ceiling plate. This increases the number of devices which are readily carried by the support structure without extending the spindle length which conventionally occurs when additional hubs are added to the main spindle.

This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional ApplicationSer. No. 60/337,830, filed Nov. 5, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the surgical lighting arts. It findsparticular application in conjunction with mounting an auxiliary secondspindle to a single ceiling plate supporting an existing first spindlein an operating room (OR) and will be described with particularreference thereto. It is to be appreciated, however, that the inventionalso finds application in conjunction with mounting other overheadsecondary fixtures or devices to support systems that additionallysupport primary fixtures or devices and is not limited to theaforementioned OR application.

Typically, in an operating room setting, large, high lumen outputlightheads are used to illuminate the surgical site. These rather largelightheads are supported on one or more jointed arms extending from asingle central spindle attached to a ceiling plate. Each articulated armis rotatable relative to the spindle and pivotable to allow independentpositioning of the arms and their attached devices. The number oflightheads or other accessories (e.g., video monitors, EKG monitors)that can reasonably be supported in a stacked arrangement is limited bythe height of the ceiling. Each additional support arm hub or accessorycauses the central spindle to grow so that, the bottom end is loweredrelative to the ceiling as additional arms are added. At some point, thelength of the spindle presents an obstacle or hazard to those working inthe OR.

When additional lightheads or accessories are desired, one option is toremove the existing ceiling plate that supports the central spindle andinstall a new ceiling plate adapted to support both the original centralspindle as well as an auxiliary satellite spindle. This is onlypossible, however, in rooms with ceiling structures designed in advancefor supporting the weight and moment of a two spindle system. In anycase, the above procedure involves a major construction job during whichtime the operating room is removed from service.

The present invention provides a new and improved method and apparatusthat overcomes the above referenced problems and others to provide anadditional spindle utilizing an existing ceiling support.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a suspensionsystem for suspending a plurality of devices from a support structure isprovided. The suspension system includes a ceiling plate configured forattachment to the support structure. A first spindle is carried by theceiling plate. The first spindle is configured for supporting at least afirst device thereon. An adapter plate is configured for mounting to theceiling plate. A second spindle is carried by the adapter plate. Thesecond spindle is configured for supporting at least a second devicethereon.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an auxiliaryassembly is provided. The assembly includes an adapter plate configuredfor selective attachment to a ceiling plate. The ceiling plate supportsa device for use in a surgical procedure. The adapter plate includes aninner surface which defines a hollow shaped to receive a spindle of theceiling plate therethrough. An articulated arm is operably connectedwith the adapter plate. A device is mounted to the articulated arm, suchthat when the adapter plate is attached to the ceiling plate, the deviceis suspended therefrom.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method ofsuspending a plurality of devices from a support structure is provided.The method includes suspending a first device from a ceiling platemounted to the support structure, mounting an adapter plate to theceiling plate, and suspending a second device from the adapter plate.

One advantage of the present invention is that it enables a plurality ofdevices to be added to an existing support assembly without increasingthe length of the central spindle.

Still further advantages of the present invention will become apparentto those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may take form in various components and arrangements ofcomponents, and in various steps and arrangements of steps. The drawingsare only for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment and are notto be construed as limiting the invention.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a medical suspension systemaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side sectional view of a portion the medicalsuspension system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the ceiling plate, adapterplate, and central spindle of the medical suspension system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the ceiling plate, adapter plate, andcentral spindle of the medical suspension system of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the adapter plate of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the adapter plate of FIG. 5 attached tothe ceiling plate of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D are bottom plan views of four alternativemounting positions for the adapter plate of FIG. 5 on the ceiling plateof FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the adapter plate, spindle,and associated articulated arm of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the adapter plate, spindle, andassociated articulated arm of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view demonstrating the positioning of the secondspindle;

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of the adapter plate of FIG. 1 mountedto the spindle without a telescoping transition piece;

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of the adapter plate of FIG. 11mounted to the spindle with a telescoping transition piece in acollapsed position;

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the adapter plate of FIG. 12mounted to the spindle with the telescoping transition piece in anexpanded position; and

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a devicesuspended from an adapter plate according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIG. 1, a suspension system 10 suspends a plurality ofmedical devices 12, 14 from a rigid, immobile structural support 16,such as a ceiling support. The ceiling support 16 is preferably carriedabove a ceiling 17 by beams (not shown) or other rigid structures whichsupport the ceiling of the operating room (OR) or are located above itsuch that the suspension system 10 extends below the ceiling. Themedical devices 12, 14 illustrated in FIG. 1 are lightheads forilluminating a work surface 18, such as an operating table and asurgical site on a patient 20 supported thereon. However, it will beappreciated that a variety of other devices 12, 14 such as videomonitors, vital sign monitors, and the like, are alternatively oradditionally mounted on the suspension system 10.

With reference also to FIGS. 2-4, the suspension system 10 includes agenerally circular ceiling plate 30, which is secured to the ceilingsupport 16 or other immobile structural support by several suitablefixing members 32, such as bolts, screws, rivets, or the like, which aremounted by suitably positioned holes 34 through the ceiling plate 30.The ceiling plate 30 is formed from a rigid material such as iron orsteel and is of sufficient strength to support the weight of the medicaldevices 12, 14, which are supported therefrom.

With continued reference to FIGS. 2-4, a first or central spindle 40 issecured to the ceiling plate 30. FIGS. 2-4 show the spindle 40 as beinggenerally cylindrical in shape and being centrally mounted to a lowersurface of the ceiling plate via a cylindrical collar 42 of slightlylarger diameter than the spindle, which may be welded or otherwiserigidly fixed to the ceiling plate 30. The spindle 40 is bolted orotherwise rigidly attached to the collar 42. Other methods of fixing thecentral spindle to the ceiling plate known in the art are alsocontemplated.

With particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, an adjustable arm 50, suchas a flexible and/or articulated arm is carried by the spindle 40 via amounting hub 52. At least a portion of the mounting hub is rotatable,relative to the spindle. The arm 50 is thus movable to a selectedposition about an axis A of the ceiling plate 30. The first surgicalsupport apparatus 12, such as a lighthead (as illustrated), videomonitor, EKG monitor, or other vital system monitor is attached to adistal end of the arm 50. The arm 50 and the spindle 40 allow thesurgeon to position the first surgical support apparatus 12 in aplurality of different positions and orientations as needed. As shown inFIG. 2, it is possible to extend the spindle 40 and add other devices 12extending therefrom by stacking one or more additional spindle hubsalong the axis A and thereby mounting one or more additional arms 50′(it will be appreciated that a single hub 52 optionally accommodates twoor more arms 50). However, the number of devices 12 that can be added isgenerally limited by the length of the spindle 40 and the height of theceiling 17 above the work surface 18.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 5-6, when it is desired to add a secondspindle 60 to the system, an adapter plate 62 is attached directly tothe existing ceiling plate 30. The adapter plate 62 is preferably in theshape of an incomplete circle and preferably has a diameter Dsubstantially equal to a diameter of the ceiling plate 30. The adapterplate 62 defines an outer circumferential surface 64 which is preferablygreater than 180° and less than 270° of an imaginary circle C of whichit forms a part. This provides for the weight of the second device 14 tobe distributed over a large area of the ceiling plate 30, whileproviding room for the attachment of other devices 66, 68, such as acontrol board and a fuse block, directly to the ceiling plate (see FIGS.3-4). The adapter plate 62 defines an arcuately shaped hollow portion70, spaced radially inward from the circumferential surface 64, thataccommodates the main spindle 40 and collar 42 therethrough. In order toaccommodate the spindle 40 and collar 42 and present a circumferentialsurface 64 which is larger than half of the ceiling plate 30, an inneredge 72 of the adapter plate 62 preferably spans less than or equal to180° around the spindle 40, so that the adapter plate 64 may fit snuglyagainst the spindle collar 42 and partially surround the spindle 40without obstructing its own access to the spindle 40.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, the adapter plate 62 is fixed directly tothe ceiling plate 30. A lower surface 74 of the ceiling plate preferablylies flat against an adjacent, upper surface of the adapter platealthough it is also contemplated that spacing members may be interposedbetween the ceiling plate and adapter plate. Suitable securement members80, such as nuts and bolts, screws, rivets, or other attachmentmechanisms, are mounted through suitably positioned holes 82 in theadapter plate and corresponding holes 84 in the ceiling plate to securethe plates 30, 62 together.

Preferably, the adapter plate 62 is selectively positionable so that thesecond spindle 60 is locatable in one of a plurality (four in theillustrated embodiment) of possible positions around the main spindle40, each position being arcuately spaced (90° in the illustratedembodiment) from the next position around the main spindle 40, asillustrated in FIGS. 7a-7 d. Accordingly, the ceiling plate 30 isprovided with sufficient mounting holes 84 to allow the adapter plate tobe mounted in any one of the selected positions. This enables optimumpositioning of the second spindle 62 and its associated device 14 withrespect to the OR and equipment in the OR, e.g., where it will bestbenefit the surgeon, without interfering with positioning of devices 12supported on the first spindle 40. Additionally, when the adapter plate62 is located in any one of the four selected positions, electricalwiring feed through holes 86 in the adapter plate are aligned withcorresponding holes 88 in the ceiling plate 30 so that electrical wiring89 and the like for providing power or communicating with the device 12can be passed through both the adapter plate 62 and ceiling plate 30.Other sizes or configurations of the adapter plate 62 are optionallyprovided, for example, auxiliary spindle positions at angular incrementsother than 90°.

The second spindle 60 is fixedly attached to the adapter plate 62 in asimilar manner to the way in which the main spindle 40 is attached tothe ceiling plate 30. As best shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the adapter plateincludes a collar 90, analogous to the collar 42 for the main spindle40. In the case of the auxiliary spindle 60, the spindle is mountedexteriorly of the collar 90, by securement members 92, such as screws,bolts, or the like, although it will be appreciated that the collar 90may be radially outward of the spindle 60, as for the main spindle. Inyet another embodiment, the collar is eliminated and the spindle ismounted directly to the adapter plate, for example by welding or withsuitable securement means, such as bolts, screws, rivets, or the like.

The spindle may include a cylindrical mounting member 94, which isreceived in an opposite end of the spindle 60 to the collar 90 andattached thereto by similar securement members 96. A similar cylindricalmounting member (not shown) is optionally also associated with the mainspindle. A second adjustable arm 98, analogous to arm 50, is mounted ata proximal end or hub 100 thereof to the spindle 60 via the cylindricalmember 94. At least a portion 101 of the hub 100 is rotatable relativeto the spindle, as shown by arrow R, about an axis D through the spindle(FIG. 9).

The second device 14 is mounted to a distal end of the arm 98. As forthe first spindle 40, additional arms (not shown) are optionally mountedto the spindle 60 in a similar manner to that shown in FIG. 2. Theadapter plate 62, device 14, arm 98, and interconnections therebetweencomprise an auxiliary assembly 102, which may be provided as anassembled unit for attachment to the ceiling plate 30, or as separatecomponents for assembly at the OR site.

As will be appreciated, the first device 12 is carried solely by theceiling plate 30 (i.e., not by the adapter plate 62) while the seconddevice 14 is carried by both the ceiling plate and the adapter plate.When the support system 10 is assembled, the two spindles 40, 60 arearranged generally side-by-side, i.e., the second spindle 60 ispositioned generally parallel with and radially spaced from the mainspindle 40, such that at least a portion of each spindle 40, 60 lies onthe same horizontal plane axially spaced from the ceiling plate 32. Inthis way, as additional hubs 100 are added to the second spindle 60, thelength of the first spindle 40 is not increased and the availableworking height between the work surface 18 and the lowest hub 100 ismaintained (unless several hubs are added to the second spindle,resulting in the second spindle and its associated hubs 100 being lowerthan that of the first spindle).

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, other devices 110, 112 are optionally mountedto the adapter plate using securement members 114, such as bolts,screws, or the like, which are received through suitably positionedholes in the adapter plate and preferably also through correspondingholes in the ceiling plate 30.

With reference now to FIG. 10, to select the optimum position for theadapter plate 62 out of the plurality of possible positions (four in theillustrated embodiment), the arm 50 of the first device 12 is movedbetween its stop positions S₁ and S₂ and the midpoint M between the stoppositions is determined as being the most typical operating position forthe arm 50. The second spindle 60 is then positioned at or about 180°from the midpoint (i.e., at an opposite end of a line x—x passingthrough the midpoint M and the first spindle 40). In this way, the arms50 and 98 will be in the positions least likely to interfere with eachother during positioning.

In order to accommodate for variable ceiling heights, a telescopictransition piece 120 (FIGS. 12-13) is optionally used for installationconcurrently with the adapter plate 62. The transition piece 120 isextended fully for high ceilings (FIG. 13), and extends to varyinglesser lengths for varying heights of lower ceilings between theextended position and a collapsed position (FIG. 12). The transitionpiece 120 may not be needed if the ceiling in the application is lowenough (FIG. 11). In that case, the second spindle 60 is simply attacheddirectly to the adapter plate collar 90. The transition piece 120enables the adapter plate 62 to be installed in a variety of differentsettings without having to adjust the dimensions of the support arm 98.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the transition piece 120 includes a firstattachment portion 122 at an upper end thereof, which is attached to thecollar 90 in place of the spindle 60 by suitable securement means, suchas bolts, screws, or the like (not shown). A second attachment portion124 is attached to the spindle 60 in a similar manner. A telescopingmidportion 126, intermediate the two attachment portions 122, 124,extends the length of the transition piece between that shown in FIG. 12and that shown in FIG. 13.

With reference to FIG. 14, an alternative auxiliary assembly 130comprising an adapter plate 62 an articulated arm 98 and a monitor 14′is shown.

The invention has been described with reference to the preferredembodiment. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur toothers upon reading and understanding the preceding detaileddescription. It is intended that the invention be construed as includingall such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within thescope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

Having thus described the preferred embodiment, the invention is nowclaimed to be:
 1. A suspension system for suspending a plurality ofdevices from an associated support structure comprising: a ceiling plateconfigured for attachment to the associated support structure; a firstspindle, carried by the ceiling plate, the first spindle configured forsupporting at least a first device thereon; an adapter plate configuredfor mounting to the ceiling plate in a plurality of positions relativeto the ceiling plate; and a second spindle carried by the adapter plate,the second spindle configured for supporting at least a second devicethereon.
 2. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the first spindleis not carried by the adapter plate.
 3. The suspension system of claim1, wherein the adapter plate includes a hollow portion which is shapedto receive the first spindle, the hollow portion defining an innerarcuate surface of less than about 180° of an imaginary circleinscribing the inner arcuate surface.
 4. The system of claim 1, whereinat least one of the first and second devices is selected from the groupconsisting of video monitors, lightheads, vital sign monitors, andcombinations thereof.
 5. The system of claim 1, further including: afirst adjustable arm assembly mounted to the first spindle and rotatablerelative thereto, which carries the first device; and a secondadjustable arm assembly mounted to the second spindle and rotatablerelative thereto, which carries the second device.
 6. The system ofclaim 5, wherein the second adjustable arm assembly is mounted to thesecond spindle by a hub, at least a portion of the hub being rotatablerelative to the spindle.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the secondspindle is generally parallel with the first spindle and radially spacedfrom the first spindle.
 8. A suspension system for suspending aplurality of devices from a support structure comprising: a ceilingplate configured for attachment to the support structure; a firstspindle, carried by the ceiling plate, the first spindle configured forsupporting at least a first device thereon; an adapter plate configuredfor mounting to the ceiling plate; and, a second spindle carried by theadapter plate, the second spindle configured for supporting at least asecond device thereon, wherein the adapter plate and ceiling plate areconfigured for attachment of the adapter plate to the ceiling plate in aselected one of a plurality of arcuately spaced positions.
 9. Asuspension system for suspending a plurality of devices from a supportstructure comprising: a ceiling plate configured for attachment to thesupport structure; a first spindle, carried by the ceiling plate, thefirst spindle configured for supporting at least a first device thereon;an adapter plate configured for mounting to the ceiling plate, theadapter plate including a hollow portion which is shaped to receive thefirst spindle therethrough, wherein the hollow portion defines an innerarcuate surface of less than about 180° of an imaginary circleinscribing the inner arcuate surface; and, a second spindle carried bythe adapter plate, the second spindle configured for supporting at leasta second device thereon.
 10. A suspension system for suspending aplurality of devices from a support structure comprising: a ceilingplate configured for attachment to the support structure; a firstspindle, carried by the ceiling plate, the first spindle configured forsupporting at least a first device thereon; an adapter plate configuredfor mounting to the ceiling plate, wherein the adapter plate defines asector of a circle having an inner arcuate surface and an outer arcuatesurface, the outer arcuate surface being radially outward of the innerarcuate surface; and, a second spindle carried by the adapter plate, thesecond spindle configured for supporting at least a second devicethereon.
 11. The suspension system of claim 10, wherein the outerarcuate surface defines at least about 180° of an imaginary circleinscribing the outer arcuate surface.
 12. The suspension system of claim10, wherein the outer arcuate surface defines less than about 270° of animaginary circle inscribing the outer arcuate surface.
 13. A suspensionsystem for suspending a plurality of devices from a support structurecomprising: a ceiling plate configured for attachment to the supportstructure; a first spindle, carried by the ceiling plate, the firstspindle configured for supporting at least a first device thereon; afirst adjustable arm assembly rotatably mounted to the first spindle andcarrying the first device; an adapter plate configured for mounting tothe ceiling plate; a second spindle carried by the adapter plate, thesecond spindle configured for supporting at least a second devicethereon; a second adjustable arm assembly mounted to the second spindleand rotatable relative thereto, which carries a second device; and, atelescoping transition piece mounted intermediate the second adjustablearm assembly and the second spindle.
 14. A suspension system forsuspending a plurality of devices from a support structure comprising: aceiling plate configured for attachment to the support structure; afirst spindle, carried by the ceiling plate, the first spindleconfigured for supporting at least a first device thereon; an adapterplate configured for mounting to the ceiling plate, wherein the adapterplate includes a generally cylindrical collar and the spindle is mountedto the collar; and, a second spindle carried by the adapter plate, thesecond spindle configured for supporting at least a second devicethereon.
 15. An auxiliary assembly in combination with a primarysuspension arm and first spindle, the auxiliary assembly comprising; anadapter plate configured for selective attachment to a ceiling plate ofthe primary suspension arm, the primary suspension arm supporting afirst device for use in a surgical procedure, the adapter plateincluding an inner surface which defines a hollow shape to receive saidfirst spindle; an adjustable arm operably connected with the adapterplate; a second device mounted to the adjustable arm, such that when theadapter plate is attached to the ceiling plate, the second device issuspended therefrom.
 16. The auxiliary assembly of claim 15, wherein thesecond device includes at least one of a lighthead and a video monitor.17. The auxiliary assembly of claim 15, further including: a generallycylindrical spindle mounted at a first end to the adapter plate, theadjustable arm being connected to a second end of the spindle androtatable relative thereto.
 18. In a suspension system including aceiling plate which is anchored to an underlying building structure, theceiling plate having a centrally mounted spindle configured forsupporting a first device, an adapter assembly comprising: an adapterplate configured to overlay a portion of the ceiling plate and partiallycircumscribe the central spindle, the adapter plate having at leastanother spindle mounted thereto; and fasteners to connect the adapterplate to the ceiling plate with the central spindle and the anotherspindle adjacent to each other.
 19. In a suspension system including aceiling plate which is anchored to an underlying building structure, theceiling plate having a centrally mounted spindle configured forsupporting a first device, an adapter assembly comprising: an adapterplate configured to overlay a portion of the ceiling plate in aplurality of selectable positions relative to the central spindle, theadapter plate having at least another spindle mounted thereto; and meansconnecting the adapter plate with the ceiling plate, the central spindleand the another spindle being adjacent to each other.
 20. A suspensionsystem for suspending a plurality of devices from a support structurecomprising: a ceiling plate configured for attachment to the supportstructure; a first spindle, carried by the ceiling plate, the firstspindle configured for supporting at least a first device thereon; anadapter plate configured to overlay a portion of the ceiling plate andbeing mountable to the ceiling plate in a plurality of positionsrelative to the ceiling plate; and, a second spindle carried by theadapter plate, the second spindle configured for supporting at least asecond device thereon.